Title: "Sakura"
Composer: Japanese folk song
Listening link: Sakura - YouTube
Translation:
Sakura, sakura Cherry blossoms
yayoi no sora wa across the spring sky
mi-watasu kagiri as far as you can see.
kasumi ka kumo ka Is it a mist, or clouds?
nioi zo izuru Fragrant in the air.
izaya izaya Come now, come now
mini yukan Let's look at last!
Background info: Sakura is a Japanese folk song, written sometime between 1600 and 1850. It celebrates the beautiful blooming of the cherry trees, a centuries old tradition. In 1888, Sakura was included in the Collection of Japanese Koto Music as a beginner piece for the koto, a classical Japanese stringed instrument. Sakura is written using the Japanese pentatonic In scale and would traditionally be taught by ear to young koto players.
Sources:
notation: Beth's Notes